AA Qu Feng Shu Jin Wan

Foreign Product Alert
2008-142
August 22, 2008
For immediate release

Health Canada is advising consumers not to use the products specified below due to concerns about possible side-effects. More info

Date of alert: August 22, 2008
Source of Alert: Hong Kong Department of Health
Product Names: AA Qu Feng Shu Jin Wan
Manufacturer / Place of Origin: M & A Healthcare Products Company Limited / Unknown

Product Description
AA Qu Feng Shu Jin Wan is promoted for slimming and weight loss.

Reason for Warning
The Hong Kong Department of Health requested the recall of AA Qu Feng Shu Jin Wan because it was found to contain undeclared dexamethasone.

Dexamethasone is an anti-inflammatory prescription drug commonly used to treat conditions such as arthritis and should only be used under the supervision of a health care professional.

Possible Side-Effects
Unsupervised use of dexamethasone may cause irregular heartbeat, increased blood pressure, increased cholesterol, increased blood sugar, menstrual irregularities, suppression of growth in children, fluid and electrolyte disturbances, peptic ulcer, blood disorders, allergic skin reaction, muscle and bone damage, seizures, and mental and mood disturbances. Dexamethasone should be avoided by patients with kidney problems, fungal infections or other systemic infections.

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Media Inquiries:
Health Canada
(613) 957-2983

For more details on these Foreign Product Alerts, please visit the Health Canada Web site.

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These products are not authorized for sale in Canada and have not been found in the Canadian marketplace, but it is possible they may have been brought into the country by travellers or purchased over the Internet.

Canadians who have this product are advised not to use it, and should consult with a health care professional if they have concerns about their health related to the use of this product.

Drugs and natural health products that are authorized for sale in Canada will have either an eight-digit Drug Identification Number (DIN), a Natural Product Number (NPN) or a Homeopathic Medicine Number (DIN-HM) on the label. These numbers indicate that the products have been assessed by Health Canada for safety, effectiveness and quality.

Health Canada advises Canadians to contact the Health Products and Food Branch Inspectorate at 1-800-267-9675 if they find any of the products listed above in the Canadian marketplace.

For more information about the information contained in this advisory, please contact Health Canada's public inquiries line at (613) 957-2991 or toll-free at 1-866-225-0709.

As of the date of this posting, no adverse reactions suspected to be associated with the use of this product have been reported in Canada.